Members of Parliament from the National Assembly of France visited the ongoing mRNA laboratory construction site at Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) as part of engagements aimed at strengthening partnerships in local vaccine manufacturing and health innovation ahead of the 2026 Africa Forward Summit. The delegation was accompanied by Gelise McCullough, Head of Communications at the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP), alongside representatives from Focus 2030. The team met with officials from Kenya Kenya BioVax Institute Limited and KEMRI, led by Dr. Cecilia Wanjala and Dr. Ernest Wandera, during which discussions focused on Kenya’s progress in advancing mRNA technology capabilities and strengthening local manufacturing systems.
The discussions highlighted the strategic advantages of mRNA technology, including rapid vaccine development, adaptability to emerging diseases, and its potential to strengthen Africa’s pandemic preparedness and health security. The meeting also explored future areas of collaboration under the WHO–MPP mRNA Technology Transfer Programme, including technical training, technology transfer, workforce development, regulatory strengthening, and research partnerships. Particular emphasis was placed on collaboration with Afrigen Biologics and Vaccines, the global mRNA technology transfer hub based in South Africa, which is supporting participating countries in building next-generation vaccine manufacturing capacity.
